Nectarine tree smooth delight one

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a new variety of  Prunus persica  named ‘Smooth Delight One’. This new variety, which requires 350-400 chilling units of dormancy, is considered to be a nectarine tree of early season maturity, which produces white fleshed sub acid fruit that are very firm, attractively colored, and suitable for both local and regional markets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

This invention relates to nectarine trees and, more specifically, tonectarine trees referred to as a variety of Prunus persica named ‘SmoothDelight One’, which requires approximately 350 to 400 chilling units ofdormancy, produces an high quality, firm clingstone sub-acid whitefleshed nectarine that matures early in the season.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The ‘Smooth Delight One’ nectarine is characterized as to novelty and isotherwise noteworthy by producing a white nectarine that ripens in theearly season; is considered good to high quality; and which is firm andhas an attractive coloration. In this regard, the present variety ofnectarine tree bears fruit that are ripe for commercial harvesting andshipment the second week of May when grow in south central Texas.‘Smooth Delight One’ ripens 5-7 days after ‘Flordaking’ (Andrews et al.,1979) and about a week before ‘TexKing’ (Byrne and Bacon, 2004).

Origin of the Variety

The present nectarine tree was the result of an ongoing Stone FruitBreeding Program of Texas A & M University, College Station, BrazosCounty, Tex. To this end, both controlled and hybrid crosses are madeeach year in order to produce seedling populations from which improvedprogenies are evaluated and selected.

The seedling ‘TX2A232LWN’ was identified at the Texas A & M UniversityHorticultural Farm in College Station, Tex. in 2003, and was chosen froma population of seedlings that resulted from seed from a cross between‘Sunmist’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,871, Apr. 29, 1997) and ‘Arctic Star’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,332, Oct. 17, 1995). Resulting seed from thiscross were planted at the Texas A & M University Horticultural Farm inCollege Station, Tex. ‘TX2A232LWN’ was marked for subsequent observationand noted as having exceptional characteristics. Two-year and oldertrees of the variety were subsequently evaluated during the 2005 through2011 fruit growing seasons in both California (Fowler) and Texas(Floresville and College Station).

Asexual Reproduction of the Variety

‘TX2A232LWN’ was bud grafted onto virus-free Nemaguard (‘The Brooks andOlmo Register of Fruit and Nut Varieties,’ 3rd Ed., American Society ofHorticultural Science Press, Alexandria, Va., 1997) nectarine rootstockin June 2003 at the nursery site in Oakdale, Calif. The variety wassubsequently planted at the experimental orchard in the central portionof the San Joaquin Valley, near Fowler, Fresno County, Calif. and in twosites in Texas (College Station and Floresville). Fruit from theresulting propagation has been evaluated during the period from 2005 to2010 fruit seasons. This evaluation clearly demonstrated that there-propagated trees were true to the characteristics of the originalseedling in all observable aspects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This new variety of nectarine tree is illustrated by the accompanyingphotographic drawings and depicts the plant by the best possible colorrepresentation using color photography, wherein:

FIG. 1. ‘Smooth Delight One’ nectarine showing typical leaves andshoots.

FIG. 2. Fruit of ‘Smooth Delight One’ produced in the evaluation blocksin Fowler, Calif. showing apical and distal views as well as fruitdissected in the axial or suture plane to illustrate the flesh, skincolor, fruit shape and stone characteristics.

FIG. 3. Dried endocarps of ‘Smooth Delight One’ showing various views.The ruler is demarcated in millimeters.

FIG. 4. The showy flowers of ‘Smooth Delight One’. The ruler is inmillimeters.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new anddistinct variety of nectarine tree, the following has been observedunder the ecological conditions prevailing at the experimental orchardsin the medium chill zone of Texas and in Fowler, Calif. All major colorcode designations are by reference to the R.H.S. Colour Chart (ThirdEdition) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.Colors are approximate as color depends on horticultural practices suchas light level and fertilization rate, among others.

-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—Generally average to above average as compared to            other common nectarine cultivars ripening in the early            season of maturity.        -   Height.—10 feet (3.05 m) at the end of the 2012 growing            season.        -   Width.—6 feet (1.83 m) at the end of the 2012 growing            season.        -   Vigor.—High.        -   Density.—Medium to high.        -   Productivity.—Productive.        -   Shape.—The ‘Smooth Delight One’ exhibits a generally            spreading growth habit typical of commercial varieties of            nectarine such as ‘TexKing’ and ‘TexRoyal’.        -   Current season growth.—The current season growth for the new            variety was approximately 2.5 to 3.4 feet (0.76-1.04 m).        -   Regularity of bearing.—Regular, and considered hardy under            typical conditions in the medium chill zone of Texas and in            the central San Joaquin Valley, Calif.-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.—Approximately 4 inches (10.16 cm) in diameter and 12.5            inches (31.75 cm) in circumference when measured at a            distance of approximately 12 inches (30.5 cm) above the soil            level, at the end of the 2012 growing season on a five-year            old tree.        -   Bark texture.—Considered moderately rough with numerous            folds of papery scarf-like skin being present.        -   Bark coloration.—Variable, R.H.S. colors present are 200D            and N200C-D of the Brown Group and 201C-D of the Grey Group.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Considered medium for the variety.        -   Thickness.—Average (about 2.5 cm in diameter as measured 10            cm from the trunk on a five-year old tree) as compared to            other varieties.        -   Surface texture.—Average and appearing furrowed on wood that            is several years old.        -   Lenticels.—Numerous flat, oval lenticels present. The            lenticels range in size from approximately 1 to 7 mm in            width and were approximately 1-2 mm in height.        -   Current season shoots.—Surface texture — Substantially            glabrous.        -   Internode length.—Approximately 15 to 24 mm as measured in            the middle of a current season stem.        -   Color of mature branches.—The predominant colors are 165A-B            of the Greyed-Orange Group; 199A, N199C-D of the Grey-Brown            Group; and 200D of the Brown Group.        -   Current season shoots.—Color — Medium to light green (Green            Group 140B, 141C-D, 142A-B and 143A-D and Yellow-Green Group            144A-C, N144C-145A and 146B-D) with some brown coloration            appearing on exposed surface of the shoots (Grey-Brown Group            199A-B, and N199C-D).-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Considered moderately small for the species. Leaf            measurements have been taken from vigorous upright current            season growth approximately at mid-shoot.        -   Leaf length.—Approximately 126 to 149 mm.        -   Leaf width.—Approximately 36 to 44 mm.        -   Leaf thickness.—Less than 1 mm.        -   Leaf form.—Lanceolate.        -   Leaf tip form.—Acuminate.        -   Leaf upper surface color.—Green varying among 137A-C of the            Green Group and 146A-C of the Yellow Green Group.        -   Leaf lower surface color.—Green varying among 138B of the            Green Group and 146A-D of the Yellow-Green Group.        -   Leaf mid-vein color.—Light yellow green (145C-D of the            Yellow-Green Group and 160D of the Greyed-Yellow Group).        -   Leaf margins.—        -   Form.—Considered crenulate.        -   Uniformity.—Considered generally uniform.        -   Leaf petioles.—        -   Size.—Considered medium long.        -   Length.—Approximately 9 to 11 mm.        -   Thickness.—Approximately less than 1 mm.        -   Color.—Pale green (Yellow Green Group 144C and N144C-D).        -   Leaf glands.—        -   Size.—Approximately 1 mm in height and 1 to 1.5 mm in width.        -   Number.—Generally 2-4 per leaf.        -   Type.—Reniform.        -   Color.—Greenish brown (199A-D and N199A-D of the Grey-Brown            Group).        -   Leaf stipules.—        -   Early deciduous.—        -   Ratio of wood (leaf) buds to flowering buds.—1 to 2 flower            buds per vegetative bud.-   Flowers:    -   -   Floral buds.—        -   General.—The floral buds are considered to be medium large            to large in size, conic in form, and slightly appressed            relative to the bearing shoot.        -   Color.—The bud scales are brown with a greenish white color,            (approximately Red-Purple Group 58A, Green-White Group            157A-B and the Brown Group 200A-D). The buds are considered            hardy under typical environmental conditions in the medium            and low chill zones of Texas and in the central San Joaquin            Valley, Calif.        -   Length.—Approximately 6 to 10 mm.        -   Blooming type.—It bloomed in mid to late February in            Floresville, Tex. and Fowler, Calif. respectively. It            bloomed slightly before or with common medium chill            cultivars such as ‘Flordaking’, TexKing’ and ‘Sunraycer’. It            is estimated to require between 350 and 400 chilling units            to break winter dormancy.        -   Flower type.—Showy.        -   Flower size.—Flower diameter at full bloom is approximately            38 to 45 mm.        -   Bloom quantity.—Considered abundant.        -   Flower bud frequency.—Normally 1 to 2 per node.        -   Petal size.—        -   General.—Considered medium large for the species.        -   Width.—Approximately 14 to 17 mm.        -   Length.—Approximately 19 to 20 mm.        -   Petal form.—Broadly ovate.        -   Petal count.—Nearly always 5.        -   Petal color.—Medium to dark pink when young (Red Group            54A-55D, Red-Purple Group N57A-58C, 61C-63D, 65A-B and            N66B-D), becoming darker near the petal claw. As petals age,            color becomes darker pink (Red Group 56A, Red-Purple Group            58D, 64D, 65A-D, 68C-69C, 70D and Purple Group 75B-D).        -   Petal claw.—        -   Form.—The claw is considered present.        -   Length.—Approximately 1 to 1.5 mm.        -   Width.—Approximately 1 to 1.5 mm.        -   Petal margins.—Generally considered variable, from nearly            smooth to slightly undulate.        -   Petal apex.—Generally — The petal apices appear slightly            domed and rounded.        -   Flower pedicel.—        -   Length.—Considered medium to long, and having an average            length of approximately 4 to 5 mm.        -   Thickness.—Considered average, approximately 1 to 1.5 mm.        -   Color.—A light green (Yellow-Green Group 145A-B and            N144B-D).        -   Floral nectaries.—        -   Color.—Dull yellow (Yellow-Green Group 153A-D).        -   Calyx.—        -   Surface texture.—Generally glabrous.        -   Color.—Green (approximately Yellow-Green Group 144C, N144D,            145A-C and 149A-151D) with maroon (Red-Purple Group            59A-60A), red (Red Group 46A-B, 47A-B and 53A-B) and brown            (Greyed-Orange Group 165A, 166A-B, 174A and 175A-B).        -   Sepals.—        -   Surface texture.—The surface has a short, fine, wooly and a            gray-colored texture.        -   Size.—Average, and ovate in form.        -   Color.—All colors represented in Calyx color plus an            additional green (approximately Greyed-Green Groups            190-194A-D).        -   Anthers.—        -   General.—Average in size for the species.        -   Color.—Yellow (approximately Green-Yellow Group 1A-B, Yellow            Group 2A-7A) and darkening upon aging.        -   Pollen production.—Pollen is abundant, and is a yellow color            (approximately Yellow Group 7A-13A).        -   Filaments.—Size — Variable in length, approximately 14 to 16            mm, with the filaments slightly longer than the pistil.        -   Color.—White with pink tinge (approximately White Group            155A-D and N155A-D; RHS Orange Group 27D, Red Group 36D and            49D) and darkening with advanced maturity.        -   Pistil.—        -   General.—Average in size, but slightly shorter, relative to            the general anther height, overall.        -   Length.—Approximately 14 to 16.5 mm, including the ovary.        -   Color.—Considered a greenish-yellow when young            (approximately Yellow-Green Group 144C, N144B, 149B-151B and            154A), and becoming slightly darker with advancing            senescence.        -   Surface texture.—Generally glabrous.-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity when described.—The present variety of fruit is            described, as it would be found in its firm ripe condition            at full commercial maturity. Under the ecological conditions            prevailing in the medium chill zone of Texas ‘Smooth Delight            One’ ripens in early to mid May, 4-5 days after ‘Flordaking’            and about a week before ‘TexKing’.        -   Size.—General — Medium large to large for the season and            considered uniform.        -   Average cheek diameter.—Approximately 64 to 71 mm.        -   Average suture diameter.—Approximately 63 to 73 mm.        -   Average axial diameter.—Approximately 63 to 69 mm.        -   Fruit form.—Generally round in its lateral aspect. The fruit            is generally uniform in symmetry when viewed from the apical            aspect.        -   Fruit suture.—Generally, the suture appears as a thin line            that extends from the base to the apex, and appears deeper            at the apex, forming a shallow basin at the apical point. No            apparent callusing or stitching exists along the suture            line.        -   Color.—The suture normally is darker than the underlying            blush. R.H.S. Red Group 53A-B and Red Group 46A-B.        -   Ventral surface.—Form — Considered uniform.        -   Stem cavity.—Size — Considered moderately shallow for the            species.        -   Length.—Approximately 13 to 16 mm.        -   Width.—Approximately 19 to 21 mm.        -   Depth.—Approximately 9 to 10 mm.        -   Fruit base.—Flat and tapering.        -   Fruit apex.—Flat.        -   Fruit stem.—Length — Approximately 9 to 11 mm Thickness —            Approximately 2 to 3 mm Color — Generally light green in            color (Yellow-Green Group 144A).        -   Fruit skin.—Generally considered medium or average in            thickness. Surface Texture — Smooth Skin Acidity —            Considered neutral. Tenacious to Flesh — Yes at commercial            maturity. Tendency to Crack — Generally resistant to            cracking as compared to other varieties. Skin Color —            Generally — Variable, with approximately 70-90% of the fruit            surface covered with an attractive red blush. Down — None            Blush Color — It ranges from a light red (RHS Red Group 39A)            to a dark red (RHS Red-Purple Group 59A-B and Greyed-Purple            Group 183A-C) with many degrees of shading and blending            occurring between these colorations. Skin Ground Color —            This is generally present in variable percentages covering            approximately 70-90% of the fruit's surface. The skin ground            color is a greenish yellow (RHS Green-Yellow group 1B-D and            Greyed-Yellow group 160B).        -   Flesh color.—Generally considered variable from a white            coloration (White Groups 155B and N999D) to a very light            pink (White Group N155B) with red appearing closer to the            outer skin (Greyed-Purple Group 186A-D).        -   Flesh fibers.—Present, numerous and lightly colored. These            fibers are present throughout the flesh.        -   Stone cavity color.—Generally considered white in color            (White Group 155B).        -   Flesh texture.—Generally, the flesh is considered firm at            commercial maturity.        -   Ripening.—Generally the fruit of the present variety ripens            evenly.        -   Flavor.—Considered very sweet with sub acid flavor.        -   Aroma.—Pleasant and reasonably abundant.        -   Eating.—Generally considered good to excellent, particularly            for its ripening season.-   Stone:    -   -   Attachment.—Clingstone at commercial maturity.        -   Stone size.—Generally considered medium to medium-large            relative to the ratio of stone to fruit size.        -   Length.—Approximately 30 to 34 mm.        -   Width.—Approximately 22 to 24 mm.        -   Thickness.—Approximately 17 to 20 mm.        -   Stone form.—Generally, the stone is considered elliptical to            ovate.        -   Stone base.—Narrow to medium.        -   Base angle.—The base angle of the stone is variable, but            most frequently is considered wide.        -   Apex shape.—Narrow.        -   Stone shape.—Considered variable, from ovoid to elongated.        -   Stone surface.—        -   Surface texture.—Minor surface markings are honeycombed with            some single pits and rosettes of pits.        -   Ridges.—Ridges are present basally, and converge towards the            base of the stone.        -   Ventral edge.—Considered small.        -   Dorsal edge.—Shape — Grooved and having moderately rough            edges.        -   Stone color.—The color of the dry stone is light brown            (similar to Greyed-Orange Group 164C and 165D). The color of            the inside surface of the endocarp is primarily            Greyed-Orange Group 164C-D and 165C-D.        -   Tendency to split.—Splitting is uncommon.        -   Kernel.—the kernel fills the endocarp at harvest and            measures approximately 6 mm in thickness, 9-10 m in width,            and 15-17 mm in length. When dried the shriveled kernels            measure approximately 1.5-3 mm in thickness, 7-9 mm in            width, and 14-16 mm in length. The colors of the shriveled            kernels are primarily Greyed-Yellow Group 161C-D and            Greyed-Orange Group 164C-D.        -   Use.—The subject variety, ‘Smooth Delight One’, is            considered to be a nectarine tree of early season maturity,            which produces white fleshed fruit which are firm,            attractively colored, sub acid in flavor and which are            useful for both local and regional markets.        -   Keeping quality.—Good.        -   Resistance to insects and disease.—No particular            susceptibilities were noted.        -   Shipping quality.—Average. Although the new variety of            nectarine tree possesses the described characteristics when            grown under the ecological conditions prevailing in the            medium chill zone of Texas and in Fowler, Fresno County,            Calif., it will be understood that variations of the usual            magnitude and characteristics incident to the changes in            growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, and pest control            are to be expected.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct Prunus persica tree, substantially asillustrated and described herein.